Recognize your automobile insurance and what it covers.

Auto insurance protects you from paying out of pocket for repairs or other damages resulting from an accident by agreeing to charge you consistent rates or premiums.

Auto insurance can protect for:  Vehicle damages, including yours or another motorist’s vehicle and Medical bills and funeral costs incurred as a result of an accident.

The coverage you’re entitled to depends on your state’s minimum requirements and any other options you choose to include. Except for New Hampshire, every state requires drivers to carry a certain amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.

Most states require state-mandated basic personal auto insurance, which provides financial protection if you have an accident. Is it enough? What are the alternatives? Learn about the fundamentals of automobile insurance and the many sorts of coverage available.

Auto insurance policies are an agreement between you and an insurance company that protects you against financial loss if your car is in an accident or stolen. You pay a monthly or yearly premium, and the company agrees to cover certain expenses outlined in your policy.

The following are examples of automobile insurance:

• Property– If your vehicle is damaged or stolen, you may be eligible for compensation.

• Liability – You could be found liable for bodily injury or property damage if you injure someone or damage their belongings.

• Medical– The costs of treating injuries, rehabilitation, and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses can be costly.

Most states in the United States have basic personal auto insurance laws, which vary. Auto insurance coverage amounts are priced separately to allow you to tailor coverage amounts to your specific requirements and budget. Most policies are valid for only six months or one year but can be renewed. Usually, the insurance company will send a reminder when it’s time to renew your policy and pay the premium again.

Who is covered by my auto insurance, and what are the circumstances in which they are not?

Your automobile insurance policy likely covers you and other family members on your policy, whether they are driving your car or someone else’s. If someone not on your policy goes into your vehicle with your consent, you are covered under the terms of your insurance.

Your auto insurance policy only protects you while driving for personal reasons. You will not be covered if you use your vehicle to make money, such as by delivering pizzas.

Suppose you use your car to offer transportation via a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft; if you drive for Uber, your auto insurance will not cover you. On the other hand, some auto insurers now provide additional insurance coverage (at an extra cost) that covers vehicle owners who drive for ride-sharing services.

Do I need auto insurance?

Auto insurance requirements vary across the country. If you’re financing a vehicle, your lender might have different standards. Every state requires drivers to maintain the following:

• Bodily injury liability– Bailment insurance covers the costs of injuries or deaths that you or another motorist may suffer while operating your car.

• Property damage liability– Insurance will reimburse the other party if you or someone driving your car causes damage to another vehicle or property, such as a fence, building, or utility pole.

Furthermore, several states demand that you maintain:

• Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) will cover medical expenses for your passengers’ injuries, lost wages, and other related costs.

• Uninsured motorist protection reimburses you if the accident is caused by someone who does not have automobile insurance—or, in the case of a hit-and-run. You can also add insured motorist coverage to your policy, which will reimburse you for expenses if another driver doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for a severe collision’s costs.

What other types of auto insurance coverage may apply to you?

Although most basic, legally required auto insurance covers the harm your vehicle causes, it does not cover damage to your automobile. To protect your car, consider this add-on coverage:

• Collision coverage repays you for any damage to your car due to hitting another vehicle or object, like a tree. This only applies if the collision was your fault. Collision insurance does not cover mechanical failure or usual automobile wear and tear, but it will reimburse you for bumps and dents caused by potholes or rolling your automobile.

• Comprehensive protection against theft and damage caused by events different than collisions, such as fire, flood, hail, falling rocks or trees, and other perils—even being struck by an asteroid!

• Glass Coverage is a type of insurance that covers damage to your windshield. It’s common to have some glass coverage in your auto policy, but you can also buy supplemental glass coverage if you want extra protection. This coverage usually includes side windows, rear windows, and glass sunroofs.

What exactly is gap insurance, and should I get it?

Your collision and comprehensive insurance policy will only pay for the current market value of your vehicle—regardless of what you paid initially. New cars also lose weight quickly. As a result, there may be a “gap” between what you owe on your automobile and the amount it is worth to insurance companies. To make up for this difference, consider gap insurance. If you lease a car, gap coverage is often already included in your payments.

Auto Insurance Basics

At Cindy Larsen Insurance, we want to help you protect yourself from the expensive aftermath of an accident by providing quality auto insurance. We’ll work with you to determine how much coverage you need and what steps to take next if you get into an accident.

What you need to know:

• Auto insurance is required by law if you reside in Minnesota and own a car. If you have financed your vehicle through a lender, they may also require that you purchase add-on coverage such as collision or comprehensive protection.
• Your policy will be tailored to your individual needs, which may include anything from a flat-fee basis to full-service coverage. When you compare one approach with another, their prices and features will vary considerably beyond what the law requires.
• If you stop paying premiums, provide false information, or neglect to share specific details, your policy may be canceled.

The No-Fault System in Minnesota

The state’s No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act requires all Minnesota residents and nonresidents to maintain certain economic loss benefits and automobile liability coverage on vehicles they own (known as Personal Injury Protection, or PIP). One of the following must be true:

• The vehicle must be registered or licensed in Minnesota or have been previously reported and titled in one of the other states.
• The vehicle is generally kept in Minnesota.

Any nonresident of Minnesota who owns a car must also maintain PIP and liability coverage on any other vehicle that the nonresident uses in Minnesota.

Auto Insurance Costs

Premiums and deductibles are the two most essential expenses for purchasing car insurance.

Auto insurance premiums vary significantly based on various criteria, including age, gender, years of driving experience, accident, and moving violation history. Once again, most states require motorists to have a certain amount of auto insurance. The minimal amount differs by state but is often set at $25,000.

You may be required to have specific forms of automobile insurance under certain circumstances. If you’re financing a vehicle, the lender might require you to obtain car insurance. Gap insurance can aid in the repayment of the difference between the vehicle’s value and what you still owe on it if you suffer damage in an accident.

If you have a bad driving record or want full coverage, your insurance rates will be higher. However, you can reduce your payment by agreeing to take on more risk yourself, increasing your deductible.

To whom does auto insurance coverage protect?

If you have a vehicle and live in Minnesota, USA your policy will cover you and any other family members on the policy, whether they’re in the car or not. Your insurance also covers someone else who is not on your page but is driving your vehicle with your permission.

Personal auto insurance only covers personal driving–not if you drive for commercial purposes or with ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. If you do either of those things, you’ll need to purchase supplemental insurance from your provider (at an extra cost).

Several vehicle insurance plans cover Minnesota, USA

Car Insurance

You need a car if you want the liberty to travel at any time. But before you start driving, be aware that most states require all drivers to have valid auto insurance. Driving without it could result in heavy fines or even jail time.

If you’re looking for a complete list of coverage terms and add-ons, scroll down to the bottom of this page. Pick out a car insurance bundle that includes the coverage types and add-ons you’ll need. You can save money while securing your safety by narrowing your search.

Motorcycle Insurance

Insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of motorcycles, but it’s something you’ll probably need if you want to hit the open road. Motorcycle insurance can cover accidents, damage, and theft like car insurance. And in most states, it’s required by law. Choose a motorcycle insurance bundle with the coverage types and add-ons that fit your needs because no rider is the same.

ATV Insurance

If you enjoy the excitement of driving an ATV, then getting specialized ATV insurance coverage is recommended. This is because accident and theft risks can be much higher with these vehicles.

RV Insurance

RV insurance can safeguard you from unforeseen hazards, whether you’re buying RV insurance or upgrading your present coverage. Our insurance experts can assist you in selecting the policy that best matches your requirements.

Boat Insurance

With a boat, the possibilities are endless. Owning a ship may be fraught with perils and obligations, much like other activities in life. Even if you don’t have to purchase boat insurance in every state, having it could make all the difference between an annoyance and a financial burden. Quotes are typically very cheap, but costs may differ based on the type of boat you own.

To Contact Cindy Larsen Insurance, please call us at 763-783-1188, or you can visit our office at 2705 Bunker Lake Blvd NW Suite 206 Andover, MN 55304.

Professional Service with a Personal Touch.

Independent Agent with Atlas Insurance